The turf is always greener on the moor

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 18/12/04, Championship game 23

Burnley v Crewe

@Turf Moor

This was being tipped by the papers as a relegation battle. Both sides were marked to go down at the end of the season. Robinson would like to think that Burnley were doing well enough to avoid relegation. Valois was publicly praised for his performances by his manager. In the same press conference when asked about today’s game Robinson said if wining made it harder for Crewe to avoid relegation then he wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Robinson decided to go with an attacking 4-4-2 formation, Chaplow and Hyde coming in for Yates and Grant. Other than that the team was the same that faced Plymouth. This game went exactly the same way as the game against Derby but for Crewe. It was Crewe who put away their chance, and what a finish, Bell curling the ball into the net from 35 yards. Robinson was very disappointed about how the game panned out.

Burnley 0 v 1 Crewe

Goals: Crewe: Bell 23

Bookings: Burnley: Bardsley - Crewe: McCready, Roberts, White

MoM: Jones (Crewe)

Att: 17,516

Ref: Mark Warren

[Guest]

Unlucky about the form, but keep it up with the story mate!

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shooting_Star:

Unlucky about the form, but keep it up with the story mate! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks

[Tyrone the Magazine]

The halfway point of the season had arrived and so had the usual mid season evaluation. Of course to Robinson this was a new thing but to Barry Kilby it was normal. It was the chairman’s style to sit down with his manager and talk over how the season was going to date. Other participants in this annual ritual, was club captain Mark Yates and supporters association representative Sam Harrison. Barry Kilby didn’t like formal meetings, he’d like to think of himself as a fans chairman. He was after all a fan of this club and didn’t like to think of himself as better than the fans, merely a privileged fan. Once again Barry staged his meeting in his favourite restaurant. The Palace Garden Chinese restaurant, that John had now become accustomed. They sat in a private function room, despite his dislike for formal meetings he also didn’t like to be disturbed. He didn’t mind being approached by fans when out in public but when trying to have a serious discussion he didn’t like to be disturbed.

Sam: ….and she got down on all fours and…..

Barry: SO John, lets get down to business shall we. How do you feel the season is going so far?

John: Personally I think it’s going ok. I’m sure we were all worried and concerned about that dreadful run we went on. That’s over now and although the current form isn’t the best we have to remember what we are dealing with here.

Sam: What do you mean?

John: Lets be blunt, this club isn’t going to be challenging for honours anytime soon. We can’t expect to be getting maximum points week in week out, in fact chances are we will lose as many as we win. It will take time for us to challenge for top spot.

Mark: The players are trying John.

John: I know most of the players really are trying, fact of the matter is most of them are also not good enough for a promotion chasing team. This may sound callous but its true. As for how the season is going my plan has always been to steady the ship this season and start forwards next season. I want to know what the fans think?

Sam: Well to be brutally honest, sorry Mark, but we agree with John. Most of the players simply aren’t good enough to take us forward, only to keep us where we are just. If we are to go forward John needs money to invest in new players Barry?

Barry: Everybody needs more money getting it is the problem. We are in debt and the wage bill is higher than the budget allows. However it is getting better we are earning money through gate receipts. Next summer with money from TV and sponsors etc we should have money for players. For now we will have to do what we can.

John: Look it isn’t as bad as we think, we are 16th in the league 11 points from a relegation place. We are far from faltering, we will be in this league next season and we do have some very good players. It is just a case that we all want this club to be the best and that isn’t bad.

They finished their meals and the meeting, they all agreed that this season was going as originally planed. John knew though that the summer better bring some fortune or this club will get nowhere. Next up was Coventry, they played them first game of the season and lost, Robinson hoped they could get revenge and three points. Philip Bardsley was suspended for the boxing day fixture after picking up five yellow cards. Lee Roche had also recovered from his injury and was fit to play.

Leaving the restaurant they all went their separate ways. Sam went to his local where Phil and Rob were waiting for Sam to tell them what was said. After telling them how the meeting went they all sat in the corner. There was still no work for either of them and they needed to think up what to do. It was then it hit him, Sam had done a few odd jobs for people so why not start up their own business. Could they? Why not? They decided to meet up tomorrow and sort out the details properly. A new start could be just what Sam needed.

[ZdlR]

KUTGW mate

Currently in season 2009/2010 with Burnley and, fingers crossed, heading for promotion. Stick at it, as long as you can drag the club out of the relegation spots, expectation is otherwise low.

Chaplow develops into quite the player.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ZdlR:

KUTGW mate

Currently in season 2009/2010 with Burnley and, fingers crossed, heading for promotion. Stick at it, as long as you can drag the club out of the relegation spots, expectation is otherwise low.

Chaplow develops into quite the player. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, yeah Chaplow seems very good I just hope I can hang onto him.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Sunday – 26/12/04, Championship game 24

Burnley v Coventry

@Turf Moor

Coventry have had a long fall from grace, since the opening game win over Burnley they went onto top the table. That only lasted a couple of weeks since then they have been sinking lower and lower. They even went on a longer streak without a win than Burnley. Now here they were facing Burnley again both teams were side by side. Coventry were 15th and Burnley 16th but Burnley were having a slightly better time of it than Coventry. Roche came in for the suspended Bardsley but other than that it was an unchanged side from the one that lost to Crewe. Burnley immediately took control of the game running riot over Coventry. With 12 minutes gone they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Hyde took the free kick and curled it into the far corner to give Burnley the lead. Less than ten minutes later their lead was doubled, Moore finishing off a good move. Burnley dominated the whole game without and finally got a third again it was Moore who scored, this time heading home from a corner. Robinson was delighted to get the three points from Coventry, they did spoil his debut game after all.

Burnley 3 v 0 Coventry

Goals: Burnley: Hyde 12, Moore 21, 57

MoM: Duff

Att: 15,652

Ref: Steve Tomlin

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Tuesday - 28/12/04, Championship game 25

Leicester v Burnley

@Walkers Stadium

As they were when they last met Leicester are top of the league. Back then it was early days, now it’s more of an indication of where sides will end up, in which case Burnley will finish mid table, acceptable to everyone. Robinson did have some selection problems. Apart from the game coming just two days after the last one he had three players out injured. Lennon would be out for two weeks with a groin strain, meaning Collett will start on the right. Richard Chaplow had a sprained wrist keeping him out for a week. Moore had a thigh strain which would take five days to get over. Robinson obviously went for a defensive line up, Blake alone up front with Yates in front of the defence. Grant would come in for the injured Chaplow and the defence would stay the same. This would be their toughest test to date but hopefully they could get a point. Burnley managed to hold their own in the first half. They succumbed in the second half to two goals from Scowcroft and Dublin. Could have been more given the amount of chances the home side had. Burnley gave no account of themselves apart from bravely trying to keep the score down.

Leicester 2 v 0 Burnley

Goals: Leicester: Scowcroft 57, Dublin 64

Bookings: Leicester: Stewart, Dabizas

MoM: Gillespie (Leicester)

Att: 24,632

Ref: Scott Mathieson

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 01/01/05, Championship game 26

Ipswich v Burnley

@Portman Road

Sam and friends just had a quiet celebration at The Crown to welcome in the new-year. They had a long trip to Ipswich in the early hours and driving with a hangover or even still slightly drunk isn’t good. With it being new-years day there wasn’t much to do before the game but find a pub and get a bite to eat. Sam hoped the new-year would bring good fortune for the club and his new business. Phil, Rob, himself and a few others made up Clarets Builders. With a carpenter, ‘leccy’, plasterer and of course a couple of ‘brickies’ on the team they were set for anything. He just hoped they could get the business.

For Robinson and his players they had travelled down the day before and, as professionals do, were asleep when the bell tolled midnight. John had been a busy man over the past few days sorting out contracts. Roche, Camara, Grant, Jensen and a few reserves all signed new contracts. However Moore, Valois and Sinclair didn’t they all wanted more than the club could offer. This was a difficult time for Robinson if he lost Moore and Valois in the summer that would be a disaster. Sinclair wouldn’t be as bigger miss as those two, Valois was the hardest news to take he had been magnificent. The winger had been awarded goal of the month for his amazing goal against Derby.

Robinson decided not to change the line up or tactics for this game. As it turned out he did with ten minutes to go but it was too late. The damage done by Bent was irreversible and Ipswich won a dull game 1-0. Robinson didn’t like this fluctuating from win to lose with the odd draw, he wanted consistency. Obviously he didn’t want to be consistently losing, but to be consistently picking up points one way or the other. He also favoured a winter break the games were coming too soon, no wonder players get injured and fatigued to easily. It was also a factor to club and country success at the close season. However there was nothing he could do about that, all he could do was get his team to bounce back against Rotherham.

Ipswich 1 v 0 Burnley

Goals: Ipswich: Bent 76

MoM: Westlake (Ipswich)

Att: 17,624

Ref: Alan Kaye

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Monday – 03/01/05, Championship game 27

Burnley v Rotherham

@Turf Moor

The last game between these two sides was eventful both on and off the pitch. Sadly it wasn’t eventful in Burnley’s favour. They got well beaten 3-0 and there was crowd trouble instigated by Burnley fans. Today would almost be a mirror image, even the referee was the same for both games. There was a large contingent of Rotherham fans some intent in getting their own back. Sam of course found himself involved in this, not in the ground but in the streets of Burnley. Fortunately he got away from it all before the police turned up. He did enjoy a good ruck every now and then, that’s all it was a punch up nothing more. Word made its way round the stands that some Burnley fans had been seriously hurt. Eventually a guy closer to the source told the main people that it was Mike and friends. Apparently they got serious and produced weapons then loads of Rotherham fans jumped them and beat them within an inch of their lives with the weapons they were going to use. Sam knew using weapons would get Mike and co. in trouble one way or the other. Nobody really cared for Mike, it was his own fault after all, fighting is one thing but seriously hurting somebody is another.

John did find out about the trouble but kept it from reaching his players for now. He didn’t want them distracted, he wanted to get Rotherham back for that defeat they suffered. Going back to the 4-4-2 formation Moore came in for Grant the rest of the team remained the same. However for one reason or another he was short of players so another youth team player was called onto the bench. 16 year old Chris McCann a promising midfield player joined fellow youth team member Cayne Hanley on the bench.

It was an open start to the game Rotherham hadn’t come here to defend. They had been tipped, like Burnley, for the drop. However they were safe in 10th place and showed no relegation form. They had a couple of early chances to repeat what they had done previously. It was Burnley though that took the lead, Moore finishing off, as he often does, a smart move. Robinson’s men started to turn up the pressure on Rotherham and rained down a few chances on their net. Rotherham counter attacked and a cross from Hoskins was headed toward goal by Taylor but the keeper made a point blank save. Proctor was there to turn in the rebound and level up the game. Two minutes later Garner slipped the ball through for Hoskins, his shot from the edge of the area beat the keeper and sent Rotherham into the lead. It became a real end to end game but when Hoskins slipped the ball through to Proctor he extended Rotherham’s lead. The second half was no where near the spectacle of the first. Real chances were few and far between. Burnley got a way back into the game when McIntosh got sent off for a second bookable offence. Valois stole in and headed the Yates free kick past the keeper. Despite their pressure they couldn’t break down Rotherham who had every player behind the ball.

Burnley 2 v 3 Rotherham

Goals: Burnley: Moore 5, Valois 74 - Rotherham: Proctor 21, 37, Hoskins 23

Bookings: Burnley: Roche, McCann - Rotherham: Swailes, McIntosh (x2 - red)

MoM: Garner (Rotherham)

Att: 17,369

Ref: Paul Taylor

[OMDave]

Getting a little worried after three defeats in a row? Story's still flowing nicely though, and a pleasant read. Good stuff Tyrone

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OMDave:

Getting a little worried after three defeats in a row? Story's still flowing nicely though, and a pleasant read. Good stuff Tyrone </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, I am a little morale seems to be a bigger factor than I first thought. FA Cup third round next though so we'll have to see what that brings us.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 08/01/05, FA Cup third round

Boston Utd v Burnley

@York Street

Robinson loved the FA Cup, as many people did and the FA Cup through up Boston United as Burnley’s third round opponents. Boston was doing well in league two, currently fourth occupying a playoff spot. Robinson wasn’t going to underestimate them but would give some other players a game. Using an attacking 4-4-2 formation he sent his men out. Jensen came in for Coyne in net, Bardsley and Sanokho came in for Roche and Sinclair at the back. Cayne Hanley started up front, replacing Blake. Robinson expected a tough game but he didn’t expect Boston to have an equal amount of chances as Burnley. Fortunately it was Burnley that converted a chance, Chaplow converting a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble.

Boston Utd 0 v 1 Burnley

Goals: Burnley: Chaplow 39

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Hanley

MoM: Jensen

Att: 6,215

Ref: Mike Pike

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 15/01/05, Championship game 28

Burnley v Cardiff

@Turf Moor

Robinson had realised he had made a mistake in getting Collett he simply wasn’t good enough and so he was sent back. He desperately tried to get Lynch and Proudlock back in on loan. This time he was successful and they both were brought in just in time for the game against Cardiff. Sunderland made an offer for John McGreal, with a chance to get a bit of money and reduce wage bill for a player he never used anymore he sold him. This got a negative response from keeper Danny Coyne who told the local paper he was worried about the lack of depth in the squad. Robinson simply replied that he made the decisions about the team not Coyne or any other player. This put Coyne in his place and without asking for one Robinson got an apology for the remark. The money they got for McGreal and for getting through to the fourth round of the FA Cup finally put Burnley in the black. Kilby was pleased about this, also the wage bill had been cut to a reasonable level.

Phil: Rotherham in the next round

Rob: Should be interesting, Mike will probably want to get his own back

Sam: He’s going to get himself killed one of these days the way he does things

Rob: Probably, you know he’s going to be in your face about helping him get one over them. Claiming that we should stick up for our own.

Sam: He can say what he likes I’m not going to do serious harm to someone with a weapon. I don’t want to be associated with someone like that

Phil: Who needs weapons, just a friendly punch up will do me

Sam: Yeah, hopefully we can get our own back against their team. Twice we’ve lost to them now

Rob: Either way it will be eventful

When they met down in Cardiff there was a bit of agro with the fans, luckily for Mike and friends they hadn’t been up to coming or they would have been done over again. Word was the Cardiff fans were looking for them, there was no trouble this time round. The game ended in a 1-1 draw Robinson hoping they could seal a win this time. Cardiff were in the relegation places and things weren’t looking good for the Welsh side. Sticking with the attacking 4-4-2 formation the Burnley side lined up:

Burnley: GK: Coyne, DR: Roche, DL: Camara, DC: Duff, DC: Sinclair: MR: Proudlock, ML: Valois, MC: Hyde, MC: Chaplow: SC: Moore: SC: Lynch: Subs: GK: Jensen: D: Bardsley: M: Yates, M: Lennon: SC: Blake

As expected Burnley had the better of the opening exchanges, Cardiff barely getting out of their own half. They took the lead via a strange goal, Valois ran to the edge of the box and cut inside. The keeper just stood and watched as the ball struck his leg and into the net, it was if he was day dreaming. Burnley really did keep the pressure on but Cardiff hung on. Just before half time they got an equaliser, Campbell turning in a rebound from a rare Cardiff attack. Robinson had a feeling it was going to be one of those games. Lynch settled his nerves when he fired them back in the lead on his first game back at the club. After that there was only going to be one outcome. Twenty minutes of Burnley pressure yielded a third. Lynch finishing off a one on one with style. Lynch sealed his hattrick heading home a pinpoint Proudlock cross at the far post. Robinson was pleased he had those two back at the club.

Burnley 4 v 1 Cardiff

Goals: Burnley: Valois 10, Lynch 51, 71, 77 - Cardiff: Campbell 45

MoM: Lynch

Att: 19,498

Ref: Iain Williamson

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 22/01/05, FA Cup fourth round

Rotherham v Burnley

@Millmoor

The tension building up to this game was immense, to the neutral it was another FA Cup clash. To the club it was progressing as far as possible and money. For Robinson and the players it was getting a win over a club that had beaten them twice already. To some fans it was revenge for attacks. This had all started because the Burnley fans were being taunted by Rotherham fans for losing, it had escalated into some vicious tit for tat warfare. As expected Mike had been in Sam’s face about helping him get the Rotherham fans back. Sam refused and when it came to the day the only violence was between Mike’s group and a group of Rotherham fans.

Rotherham had proved to be John’s bogey team, they just couldn’t seem to win against them, albeit in two games so far. He hoped this would be the night they would do it. It was going to be a tough game so Robinson went with the 4-1-4-1 formation. Rotherham were dominating the game, their domination paid off when Procter fired home a Sedgwick corner. With the defensive formation Burnley were never going to get back into the game so at half time Robinson changed the formation. He went back to his favoured 4-4-2, Hyde and Blake coming on for Grant and Yates respectively. This really swung the game into Burnley’s favour but despite this they couldn’t find a way through. That was until 70 minutes when a penetrating Valois cross was headed over the keeper and under the bar by Moore to bring them on level terms. A counter attack from Burnley saw an on fire Moore weave his way through the defence and finish the move off with a good goal to give them the lead. The Burnley fans went wild and in a turn around taunted the home fans. Fortunately there was no response of any kind. Burnley managed to see out the match and progress to the next round.

Rotherham 1 v 2 Burnley

Goals: Rotherham: Proctor 12 - Burnley: Moore 70, 77

Bookings: Rotherham: Sedgwick - Burnley: Roche, Sinclair

MoM: Moore

Att: 9,790

Ref: Michael Ryan

[Terk]

this is a good read, tyrone good to see a potential run of form springing up.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Terk:

this is a good read, tyrone good to see a potential run of form springing up. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Simon, form seems to come and go no sooner has it picked up and it will go.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Tuesday - 25/01/05, Championship game 29

Wolves v Burnley

@Molineux

Everyone connected with Burnley was delighted with the win over Rotherham, for many reasons. Robinson hoped the fifth round would throw up a big team, indeed it had, they were drawn at home to Everton. Kilby was also pleased at the money this would bring in. With the prize money and gate receipts the club was now healthily in the black, the business side of things was being run very well. For this game Robinson didn’t change a thing from the Rotherham game. Their last encounter wasn’t a thriller and neither was this. Despite their dominance and huge tally of shots Wolves couldn’t get past the on form Coyne. The game ended up a boring 0-0.

Wolves 0 v 0 Burnley

Bookings: Wolves: Corrigan, Craddock - Burnley: Roche, Sinclair

MoM: Coyne

Att: 20,239

Ref: Graham Salisbury

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 29/01/05, Championship game 30

Burnley v Leeds

@Turf Moor

The Leeds game was another game that Robinson wanted to get back at a team that had beaten them twice. In quick succession Leeds had beaten them in the league and knocked them out of the league cup. So getting a victory over them would be nice. Robinson changed back to his usual 4-4-2 formation which saw Blake come back into the starting line up. The first half was very uneventful, chances being few and far between for either side. Things did pick up in the second half when Hyde got on the score sheet. Duff taking a short free kick to Chaplow, he sent Proudlock down the right and he crossed the ball to the far post where Hyde headed home. In the 89th minute Gary Kelly was sent off for Leeds after a second yellow card. Camara took the resulting free kick and Moore got on the end of the ball and fired it home.

Burnley 2 v 0 Leeds

Goals: Burnley: Hyde 54, Moore 90

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Valois - Leeds: Kelly (x2 – red), Gresko

MoM: Wright (Leeds)

Att: 22,604

Ref: Scott Mathieson

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 05/02/05, Championship game 31

Burnley v Q.P.R.

@Turf Moor

The last time these sides met they were in similar circumstances. Burnley’s team morale was high, they were a handful of places above relegation and Q.P.R. were 2nd All that had changed was the fact Q.P.R. were now 3rd rather than 2nd. Robinson made a huge error of judgement in the lead up to this game, one that would cost him dearly. The recent run his team had been on had got his and the players morale and confidence up. Robinson over estimated his teams ability to come out of this match unscathed. He sent them in unchanged and going for the jugular, a foolhardy move. In the first half Q.P.R. gave Burnley a footballing lesson. Burnley did survive longer than one might have thought, but on 23 minutes the collapse started. Cureton finishing off a wonderful move through a non existent defence to give the visitors the lead. Just seven minutes later Cureton again broke through the defence, his shot this time blocked but the rebound made its way to the unmarked Furlong to put it in the empty net. Burnley didn’t last much longer than seven minutes before conceding a third. This time Furlong set up Cureton who struck the ball from 25 yards out, the ball seemed to just fly through Coyne in goal. At half time Robinson managed to tighten things up enough to not concede a fourth but neither could they get a first.

Burnley 0 v 3 Q.P.R.

Goals: Q.P.R.: Cureton 23, 40, Furlong 30

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Proudlock - Q.P.R.: Richards

MoM: Cureton (Q.P.R.)

Att: 20,450

Ref: Scott Mathieson

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 12/02/05, Championship game 32

Watford v Burnley

@Vicarage Road

After the defeat to Q.P.R. Robinson received the best news he had all season. He had been trying to persuade Valois to sign a new contract and at last he had. The January player of the month had signed on until 2008. For the upcoming game against Watford he had a few team problems, firstly Duff was suspended. Also Hyde and Camara were becoming fatigued and needed resting according to his physio. He didn’t have a proper replacement for Camara so he stayed in the team. Hyde was replaced by Grant and Chaplow was reduced to the bench and Yates came in to take his place. Robinson went for a defensive 4-4-2 formation.

Burnley: GK: Coyne, DR: Roche, DL: Camara, DC: Sanokho, DC: Sinclair: MR: Proudlock, ML: Valois, MC: Yates, MC: Grant: SC: Moore: SC: Blake: Subs: GK: Jensen: D: Bardsley: M: Hyde, M: Chaplow: SC: Lynch

This game was being televised Robinson hoped this wasn’t an omen. They hadn’t won on TV yet he hoped today they could put that right. Another omen was referee Paul Taylor, the two games he has refereed Burnley for so far were the two defeats to Rotherham. He was also a card happy ref which wasn’t a good thing as Burnley had a few players bordering on suspension from the five yellow cards rule. When people talk about games for the neutral or some of the most entertaining games ever Watford v Burnley wouldn’t be their first choice. However after today’s game it will be up there with the best.

Despite Burnley’s defensive look they weren’t being dominated. The opening to the game was very open and very even. It started with a fast tempo and end to end mentality which gave both sides chances. It was the away side that struck first, Robbie Blake got in behind the defence and slotted the ball under the advancing keeper. Their lead was short lived however as Watford pulled level just four minutes later. Helguson hitting the through ball as soon as it reached him, the ball nestled in the far corner. The game continued its fast tempo end to end style and it was Watford who struck next, Helguson flicking on a throw deep in the Burnley half. The ball struck the post and bounced into the path of the alert Devlin who had an easy finish. Two minutes later Burnley were victim to a cruel deflection. Dyche launched a free kick into the area, Hand got on the end of it and got a shot off. Sinclair got in the way of it but the ball deflected off him past Coyne who was diving the way of the original shot and into the net. Ten minutes later Helguson sneaked in front of his marker to finish off a well worked move. Watford were now 4-1 up mainly down to some shocking defending. Robinson thought things couldn’t get any worse, but he was wrong after a stupid decision by the ref Sanokho was sent off for decent. So now Burnley were 4-1 down and only had 10 men on the pitch. He was forced into changes, he brought on Bardsley for Camara and switched to three central defenders. **** it he thought and used up all his subs throwing on Hyde and Chaplow for Grant and Yates, he told his team to attack. Burnley managed to pull one back, substitute Chaplow finishing off a counter attack to make it 4-2.

The second half surely couldn’t live up to the six goal thriller of the first half. It seemed as if Burnley were dead and buried. However the entertainment didn’t let up. At half time Robinson just told his players to go out attack and try their hardest. With the attacking intent Burnley made their presence felt again. They were starting to have the better of the game. It was only last ditch defending, selfishness and outstanding saves that denied them goals. Now they were down to 10 men it was as if Burnley were a new team. Their attacks had thrust and the defence and keeper were outstanding stopping all Watford had to offer. The game kept going end to end but there was no breakthrough for either side. Burnley were given even more problems when Roche was sent from the field for a second bookable offence. Then Burnley broke away from a Watford corner, Hyde’s ball scythed through the defnce to find Moore. He slotted it past the keeper to give them a small glimmer of hope for a draw. With five minutes to go surely they couldn’t complete the comeback of the season. Coyne was being heroic in goal with only a two man defence to protect him. Burnley went forward and Blake centred it to Moore who slipped it out right to the free Proudlock. From a tight angle he somehow did the impossible and found the inside of the side netting. 9 man Burnley had pulled back from 4-1 to 4-4. Fate then dealt Robinson’s men a cruel hand. With the last attack of the game Watford broke through the beleaguered two man defence and this time Coyne couldn’t stop it. Burnley deserved better.

Watford 5 v 4 Burnley

Goals: Watford: Helguson 16, 34, Devlin 23, Hand 25, Dyer 90 - Burnley: Blake 12, Chaplow 43, Moore 85, Proudlock 90

Bookings: Watford: Gunnarsson, Mayo, Devlin - Burnley: Roche (x2 – red), Sinclair, Sanokho (red), Proudlock, Yates, Blake

MoM: Mahon (Watford)

Att: 15,302

Ref: Paul Taylor

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Tuesday - 15/02/05, Championship game 33

Preston v Burnley

@Deepdale

The energy surrounding the previous game hadn’t died down yet. Neither had the repercussions, players were worn out and not 100%. Sanokho, Roche and Sinclair were all suspended creating huge problems for Robinson. Lynch wasn’t allowed to play against his parent club. Coyne had taken a big confidence hit so Robinson decided to go with Jensen in goal. Knowing he would be playing with a highly weakened defence he decided on the 4-1-4-1 formation. The two players Robinson brought in on a free were called up. Stuart Hack was put in at the deep end with a fist team place, Carlos Brown was called up to the bench. Preston had the better of the opening exchanges. They forced a penalty from Jensen, the Burnley keeper pushing over a Preston player in the box trying to get to a corner kick. Alexander stepped up to take the spot kick, Jensen made up for his mistake by saving the penalty and pouncing on the loose ball. Preston went ahead when Skora headed home a Witschge corner. The game was dominated by Preston, Robinson brought on Blake and Hyde and changed to a 4-4-2 formation to try and get a foothold in the game. It did make a difference, Burnley started making chances. 15 minutes into the second half a direct ball from Chaplow into Blake’s path was fired into the net by the striker. However Burnley weren’t level for long as Proudlock brought down Lewis in the area. Jensen couldn’t save the penalty from Healy and Preston regained the lead. Despite their efforts Burnley couldn’t get a second equaliser. In the dying minutes Bardsley got sent off for a second yellow and Witschge took the resulting free kick and sealed the game for Preston.

Preston 3 v 1 Burnley

Goals: Preston: Skora 14, Healy pen 64, Witschge 90 - Burnley: Blake 61

Bookings: Preston: Mawene - Burnley: Bardsley (x2 – red), Hack, Proudlock, Valois, Yates

MoM: Witschge (Preston)

Att: 20,453

Ref: Keith Hill

[Guest]

Good read dude.

I know how hard it is, I've taken a couple of teams from the Championship to the Premiership (after a couple of seasons). But an entertaining read, gl with your upcoming fixtures.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by grizzzlie:

Good read dude.

I know how hard it is, I've taken a couple of teams from the Championship to the Premiership (after a couple of seasons). But an entertaining read, gl with your upcoming fixtures. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks

good to have you along

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 19/02/05, FA Cup fifth round

Burnley v Everton

@Turf Moor

This was the big game Burnley was hoping for form the FA Cup, premiership Everton. The premiership side were struggling in the league so Robinson hoped that would work in his teams favour. It was going to be a very tough game but one he didn’t have to motivate his players for. He did have a few selection problems, his best player, Valois, was suspended for reaching the yellow cards limit. Proudlock also had reached the limit and would sit this game out. Bardsley was out thanks to the red card he picked up against Preston. Sanokho came back into the team and Scott came in for Valois and Lennon for Proudlock. Robinson stuck with the 4-4-2 and told his players to get at Everton.

The opening few attacks were unsurprisingly from Everton. However a great ball from Lennon found Blake in behind the defence, Blake rounded the keeper qand gave Burnley a surprise lead. The game went back to the predicted path, Everton raining down chance on the Burnley goal. Eventually a cross from McFadden was turned in by Bent for the equaliser. A lull came over the game and both sides went in at half time 1-1. Burnley then shot themselves in the foot after the break by conceding a penalty that Cahill scored. Robinson’s men started looking more dangerous and ten minutes later they got an equaliser, Sinclair heading home a Sanokho corner. It was a back and forth half, Everton’s Malouda somehow beating Jensen at his near post to give the premiership side the lead again. The thrilling tie had another twist as ten minutes from the end Lynch scored a brilliant free kick. It was never to be a cup romance for Burnley, Gravesen volleying home a McFadden cross to win Everton the game.

Burnley v Everton

Goals: Burnley: Blake 6, Sinclair 58, Lynch 81 - Everton: Bent 28, Cahill 47, Malouda 65, Gravesen 87

Bookings: Everton: Chadwick

MoM: McFadden (Everton)

Att: 22,596

Ref: Neale Barry

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Wednesday – 23/02/05, Championship game 34

Burnley v Reading

@Turf Moor

After the unlucky events of the FA Cup at the weekend it was back to the grindstone of the league. Reading were still struggling but Burnley’s recent form wasn’t good so the game would come down to who wants it more. Duff, Proudlock, Valois and Chaplow all came back into the squad. Burnley started like a team with a mission getting at Reading from the off. On a rare Reading attack the managed to get themselves a corner, a brilliant corner was headed in by Berhalter to give the visitors a surprised lead. They almost got a second two minutes later as they won a free kick at the edge of the box, the resulting kick slammed back off the post and away. It wasn’t Burnley’s day as all of their chances came to nothing.

Burnley 0 v 1 Reading

Goals: Reading: Berhalter 24

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Sinclair - Reading: Murty

MoM: Berhalter (Reading)

Att: 18,139

Ref: Michael Ryan

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 26/02/05, Championship game 35

Stoke v Burnley

@Britania Stadium

The trip to Stoke came on the back of five straight defeats, Burnley had slipped into a bad run of form again. Morale was very low in the Burnley camp, the players had lost confidence in their ability. Despite Robinson’s best efforts only a win could restore their faith in themselves. The last time these two met it was in similar circumstances, Burnley were having a very bad run then too. Stoke were then in 10th place now they were 7th, staking their claim for a playoff spot. That game changed the look of the season for Robinson’s men, they beat Stoke and went on to get more points to lift them up in the table. Robinson hoped that they could do that again.

Sticking with the 4-4-2 formation he gave it a defensive look, Yates and Grant in for Hyde and Chaplow. Camara was injured so in came youngster Paul Scott at left back. Robinson hoped his best players would perform today and pull the team up by the scruff and get them back on track. It was Stoke who had all the play in the first 25 minutes before Burnley made themselves noticed. It was a wonderful move that opened the scoring, Noel-Williams and Pavlin one-twoing their way to the Burnley box, Noel-Williams firing the ball past Jensen in goal. It didn’t take long for Burnley to put a good move of their own, to equalise, Blake stealing in behind the defence to turn in a Moore cross. This turned the tide of the half and Burnley dominated until the half time whistle was blown.

So far Burnley’s best player of the season so far, Valois, had been largely anonymous. The second half started differently to the first, both sides were getting chances to score. It took just over 15 minutes for a breakthrough to occur. Burnley countered a Stoke attack and Moore crossed the ball to the far post where Proudlock was waiting to tap it in. It was the break Burnley needed, Robinson hoped now that his team could go on and control the game. They didn’t and it continued to be a end to end half. It took until the 90th minute for Valois to make a significant contribution, his through ball to Moore sent the striker through on goal to seal the game in the dying seconds. Once again the game against Stoke may prove to be a turning point in the season.

Stoke 1 v 3 Burnley

Goals: Stoke: Noel-Williams 27 - Burnley: Blake 35, Proudlock 62, Moore 90

Bookings: Stoke: Russell - Burnley: Sinclair

MoM: Jensen

Att: 20,787

Ref: Michael Ryan

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 05/02/05, Championship game 36

Millwall v Burnley

@The New Den

Millwall were still struggling and the win over Stoke invigorated the Burnley players. Robinson hoped they could go on from that win and get another one. Sticking with the same team, formation and players with one exception, Grant was injured so Chaplow came in for him. Burnley couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start, Millwall scored within two minutes. From then it became the end to end game it should have been. Instead of Burnley getting an equaliser the next goal came from Millwall, Harris heading home a Livermore cross. Apart from the score line you wouldn’t be able to tell who was wining, unfortunately for Robinson the score line was the most important part. Burnley had their chances but failed to make the most of them. Chaplow was sent from the field for a second yellow, Robinson stuck with the tactics hoping they could still find a way back into the game. Millwall got a third when Elliott turned home a parried May shot. That was it as far as Robinson was concerned and he was disappointed that his team hadn’t taken their chances. Ten minutes later an almost exact carbon copy except it was May that scored from a Hartley rebound. Burnley’s embarrassment continued as May added a fifth just before the end.

Millwall 5 v 0 Burnley

Goals: Millwall: Ifil 2, Harris 29, Elliott 72, May 82, 87

Bookings: Millwall: Muscat - Burnley: Duff, Chaplow (x2 – red), Blake

MoM: Hartley (Millwall)

Att: 17,908

Ref: Grant Hegley

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Tuesday – 08/02/05, Championship game 37

Burnley v Gillingham

@Turf Moor

Robinson had major selection problems going into this game. Moore and Grant were injured, Chaplow was suspended. Camara had overcome his injury but wasn’t fit yet. Other players were feeling jaded, Duff, Sinclair, Valois and Blake all felt the strain. Into the team came Bardsley, Lennon, Carpenter and Lynch, on the bench was Townsend, Coyne, Valois, O’Neil and Blake. The defeat to Millwall had once again knocked the confidence of the players. Robinson stuck with formation and tactics, with it being a ‘mish-mashed’ team he didn’t want to take any chances. It was a open game with chances for both sides, neither side made the most of them. Things took a turn for the worst for Burnley, Sanokho being sent off for a second yellow card. The referee gave Gillingham a dubious free kick for which Sanokho got a yellow, he was immediately shown a second for dissent. Robinson was getting worried about the amount of cards both yellow and red his players were picking up. He replaced Carpenter with Townsend and played a 4-4-1 formation, wanting to get away with a point at least. That wasn’t going to be the case as Gillingham opened up the defence and Henderson blasted the ball past Jensen. Byfield then sealed the game in the 90th minute ending a miserable afternoon for Robinson.

Burnley 0 v 2 Gillingham

Goals: Gillingham: Henderson 84, Byfield 90

Bookings: Burnley: Sanokho (x2 – red) - Gillingham: Ashby, Henderson

MoM: Byfield (Gillingham)

Att: 17,250

Ref: Paul Robinson

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 12/02/05, Championship game 38

Brighton v Burnley

@The Withdean Stadium

Next up for Burnley was a trip to Brighton another team languishing at the wrong end of the table. When these two sides met in November Burnley massacred the south coast side. It was still an unusual looking side that Robinson put out, especially the defence. Scott, Townsend and Bardsley still partnered Roche at the back.

Blake came in and partnered Lynch up front, Valois was still on the bench resting up. The first half was largely uneventful Burnley controlling the game with Brighton getting the odd chance here and there. It took ten minutes for the first breakthrough Blake running at the defence with the ball, when he reached the edge of the box he squared the ball for Lynch to tap it in. Burnley doubled their lead when Proudlock ran through the defence and rounded the keeper and was left with a simple tap in. Brighton seemed dead and buried they hadn’t had one meaningful attack in the second half. When they did get a chance they made the most of it Harding firing home from a corner. This made Robinson edgy, they lost the comfort zone now Brighton had their tails up and were looking to salvage something from the game. Much to the annoyance of Robinson they did, his patchy defence had done well to stop Brighton who had come close to an equaliser. However with the last kick of the game Molango levelled it up and robbed Burnley of two points.

Brighton 2 v 2 Burnley

Goals: Brighton: Harding 80, Molango 90 - Burnley: Lynch 58, Proudlock 76

Bookings: Brighton: Jones - Burnley: Lennon, Hyde, Yates

MoM: Coyne

Att: 6,712

Ref: Mark Warren

[Terk]

that millwall defeat must have hurt

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Terk:

that millwall defeat must have hurt </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It was rather annoying. A lot of the results have been annoying, but it makes for a better game. Also I prefer relegation battles rather than promotion battles.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 19/02/05, Championship game 39

Burnley v West Ham

@Turf Moor

Robinson could feel the curse of TV clutching at his throat. His team was yet to claim three points on the idiot box, despite their best efforts. Their last outing in front of the camera’s was against Watford in the 5-4 thriller. He didn’t think he could take going through that again. The last time these two sides met West Ham came out lucky victors, Zamora scoring two late goals. Robinson had all his players back for this game and he hoped this would give them some impetus. It didn’t and unlike the Watford game this was not one for the neutral or a good advert for the league. Chances for either side were sparse and the game was dull. The one incident of note was a through ball from Hutchinson to Rebrov who coolly slipped the ball past Coyne. Once again TV’s curse had fallen on Burnley.

Burnley 0 v 1 West Ham

Goals: West Ham: Rebrov 34

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Sinclair - West Ham: Mullins, Zamora

MoM: Reo-Cocker (West Ham)

Att: 20,404

Ref: Grant Hegley

[Terk]

relegation battles make me want to punch things

[Pints of Whisky]

Well done Harding and Molango! Enjoyed our trip to Burnley on Saturday.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Simon: I'm getting that way as Burnley are slipping closer and closer to the drop zone

PoW:I hope Brighton avoid the drop, I'd rather see Cardiff go down

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday - 02/04/05, Championship game 40

Sunderland v Burnley

@The Stadium of Light

During the break for internationals John and Barry had their usual meeting about the club fortunes. They were concerned that the club were to close for comfort to the relegation zone. Sunderland were their next opponents, Sunderland had picked up form in recent weeks and were hoping to at least get a playoff spot to rescue their season. With Grant and Yates in for Hyde and Chaplow it gave Robinson’s 4-4-2 formation a more solid feel. However this wasn’t enough as Sunderland ran out 3-0 winners, Kyle and Stewart getting the goals. Burnley now had picked up just one point from 15.

Sunderland 3 v 0 Burnley

Goals: Sunderland: Kyle 12, Stewart 76, 80

Bookings: Burnley: Roche, Yates

MoM: Thornton (Sunderland)

Att: 19,917

Ref: Mark Warren

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 09/04/05, Championship game 41

Burnley v Derby

@Turf Moor

Still sticking with the same team Robinson hoped they could get back on track at home at least. In early December Burnley managed to get a very good win over a fourth place Derby. Now this game would be even tougher as Derby were sitting pretty at the top of the league. Unsurprisingly Derby started the better and they opened the scoring after seven minutes, Junior rounding the keeper and shooting home. It wasn’t long before Burnley was level, Chaplow’s shot deflecting off a Derby defender and fooling the keeper. Now they were back on level terms Burnley were making a game of it. However, Derby struck again before half time putting them back in the lead, Smith getting the goal. The second half started how the first ended an evenly contested end to end game, but with a Derby goal, again it was Smith who scored. Soon after Burnley gave themselves hope, Moore finishing off a wonderfully crafted move to pull one back. Derby sealed the points with a 90th minute goal from Huddlestone. Burnley were now only four points from a relegation spot.

Burnley 2 v 4 Derby

Goals: Burnley: Chaplow 11, Moore 57 - Derby: Junior 7, Smith 38, 52, Huddlestone 90

Bookings: Burnley: Sinclair

MoM: Smith (Derby)

Att: 16,939

Ref: Kevin Wright

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 16/04/05, Championship game 42

Burnley v Sheff Utd

@Turf Moor

Lynch and Proudlock loan spells were up and returned to their parent clubs. Lennon came in for Proudlock on the right wing. This game was over in 15 minutes much to Robinson’s dismay. A four minute spell saw the best of Sheffield United and the worst of Burnley. Cadamateri and Lester wrapped up the game for the visitors. Burnley had chances to get back into it but didn’t take them.

Burnley 0 v 3 Sheff Utd

Goals: Sheff Utd: Cadamateri 11, 15, Lester 14

Bookings: Burnley: Duff, Hyde, Moore - Sheff Utd: Jagielka, Quinn

MoM: Cadamateri (Sheff Utd)

Att: 16,044

Ref: Lee Probert

Tuesday - 19/04/05, Championship game 43

Wigan v Burnley

@The JJB Stadium

The players confidence was at an all time low they hadn’t won a game in seven attempts. Only the failure of sides below them kept them from slipping further down the table. Lennon was injured so O’Neil was now out on the right wing. Robinson just wanted this season to be over, it was supposed to be a season of steadying the ship. Right now he would settle for survival. Wigan had other ideas, Teale and Harewood had seen to another defeat for Burnley. Hyde managed to get a consolation goal, but it was yet another loss.

Wigan 3 v 1 Burnley

Goals: Wigan: Teale 11, Harewood 15, 45 - Burnley: Hyde 70

Bookings: Wigan: Wright

MoM: Harewood (Wigan)

Att: 17,379

Ref: Clive Penton

Saturday - 23/04/05, Championship game 44

Nottm Forest v Burnley

@The City Ground

Forest were fourth in the league and Burnley were on a very bad run of form. Robinson shuffled some players around and tried his damnedest to get them motivated, but everyone knew what the outcome would be.

It was embarrassing for Burnley as they went down 4-0, they were now four points from a relegation spot. Nerves at Turf Moor were increasing week on week.

Nottm Forest 4 v 0 Burnley

Goals: Nottm Forest: Evans pen 11, Chippo 45, Blair 63, Yates og 75

Bookings: Burnley: Sanokho, O’Neil

MoM: Chippo (Nottm Forest)

Att: 24,322

Ref: Grant Hegley

Sunday – 01/05/05, Championship game 45

Burnley v Plymouth

@Turf Moor

This game was being played on Sunday so it could be on TV. Due to results the day before Crewe and Gillingham had been relegated. Brighton occupied the third spot only one point behind Burnley. At one point in the season Robinson thought they would be safe from a relegation battle. Now the curse of TV would mean they would go into the last game of the season fighting for survival. Although Blake put Burnley ahead, Capaldi and Norris earned Plymouth the three points.

Burnley 1 v 2 Plymouth

Goals: Burnley: Blake 40 Plymouth: Capaldi 43, Norris 46

Bookings: Burnley: Sinclair, Valois, Moore

MoM: Capaldi (Plymouth)

Att: 14,134

Ref: Iain Williamson

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Sunday - 08/05/05, Championship game 46

Crewe v Burnley

@Gresty Road

So the season came down to this, three games, the one here Cardiff v Preston and Nottingham Forest v Brighton. Burnley didn’t have to win their game to stay up so everything was in their favour. The way things had been going Robinson fully expected the leagues bottom club to win but he hoped the other teams could do him a favour. Sam was there of course like he had been for every game of the season. Robinson didn’t change the squad he just told them to go out and give 100%

It started as an open even game, as happened so often when a team has been relegated they play out of their skins. Some people, players, managers didn’t like to know what was happening in other games but both Sam and John did. Sam had a radio and was constantly monitoring it, John was being updated on scores only. In their game 15 minutes had passed and it was 0-0, as it was for Cardiff, Brighton were losing 1-0 at this point. There was a roar in the away end as the news filtered through. It was still end to end game but no goals, yet a second roar emanated from the away end Brighton were losing 2-0. It looked like Burnley would be safe although through no doing of their own.

Into the second half it was still an open game chance for both teams but there seemed to be no way through either keeper. This kept on going chance after chance but no breakthrough. Sam never thought he would ever cheer for Preston but when they went ahead against Cardiff he cheered as this meant Burnley were doubly safe. There was a sour part to the day as Crewe scored in the last minute through Ashton. However when the final whistle went there was a cheer from all sides as Forest and Preston won meaning Burnley were a championship team next season.

Crewe 1 v 0 Burnley

Goals: Crewe: Ashton 89

Bookings: Crewe: McCready, Jones, Higdon (x2 – red), Mellor - Burnley: Yates

MoM: Capaldi (Plymouth)

Att: 8,100

Ref: John Walsh

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Sitting back in his chair with a glass of whiskey John looked round his office. This was a championship club still, but it was too close for comfort. He wanted it to be a mid table season, one from which they could progress. Robinson hadn’t been anal retentive about statistics or anything like that when picking teams or going into games, he began to think he should be. Obviously he made reports on games but now he thought he should go into more detail. He noticed that his office needed touching up, as did many parts of the stadium. At that point Barry walked into the room and congratulated him, when he asked what for Barry simply replied for keeping us up. John knew that’s all they wanted from the season but he wanted more he was disappointed with the season. Barry also told him that he and his office stuff had to be moved to another room while this one was being re-done over the summer break. Once settled in his temporary office he set about getting anal retentive.

Premiership

Winner: Chelsea

Relegated: Charlton, Crystal Palace, Norwich

Championship

Winner: Derby

Promoted: Q.P.R., Nottingham Forest

Relegated: Brighton, Gillingham, Crewe

League 1

Winner: Hull

Promoted: Oldham, Sheffield Wednesday

Relegated: Torquay, Colchester, Peterborough, Wrexham

League 2

Winner: Shrewsbury

Promoted: Boston United, Cambridge, Rushden

Relegated: Yeovil, Macclesfield

Conference National

Winner: Barnet

Promoted: Hereford

Relegated: Farnborough, Northwich, York

Conference North

Winner: Worcester

Promoted: Worksop

Relegated: Redditch, Runcorn, Stafford Rangers

Conference South

Winner: Basingstoke

Relegated: Bishops Stortford, Hayes, Eastbourne Boro

League Cup

Winner: Manchester United

FA Cup

Winner: Liverpool

Community Shield

Winner: Arsenal

LDV Vans Trophy

Winner: Hull

FA Trophy

Winner: Barnet

Champions League

Winner: Milan

UEFA Cup

Winner: Sevilla

Super Cup

Winner: Porto

Championship Notes: Top Scorer: David Healy (Preston), Manager of the season: George Burley. Valois was third in goal of the season (goal: away at Derby)

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Player Evaluations - Season 2004/5

Goalkeepers:

Danny Coyne – Apps: 35 Conc: 54 Cln: 9 MoM: 3 Avg Rat: 7.39

Brian Jensen – Apps: 15 Conc: 32 Cln: 2 MoM: 2 Avg Rat: 6.87

Danny was the main keeper during the season pulling off some amazing saves and often keeping Burnley in the game. Brian came in when Danny had a lapse in confidence and at times did well. It is obvious that Danny was the better keeper this season and thus primary choice for next.

Defenders:

Michael Duff – Apps: 42 (1) Gls: 0 Ass: 1 MoM: 1 Yel: 9 Red: 0 Tck: 3.84 Fls: 49 Fls.Ag: 21 Avg Rat: 7.23

Lee Roche – Apps: 33 Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 8 Red: 1 Tck: 4.64 Fls: 49 Fls.Ag: 22 Avg Rat: 7.24

* Phillip Bardsley – Apps: 8 (3) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 3 Red: 1 Tck: 3.97 Fls: 17 Fls.Ag: 4 Avg Rat: 6.91

Frank Sinclair – Apps: 40 Gls: 2 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 10 Red: 0 Tck: 3.50 Fls: 62 Fls.Ag: 12 Avg Rat: 7.05

Stuart Hack – Apps: 1 Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 1 Red: 0 Tck: 2.00 Fls: 0 Fls.Ag: 0 Avg Rat: 6.00

Amadou Sanokho – Apps: 12 (1) Gls: 0 Ass: 1 MoM: 0 Yel: 6 Red: 2 Tck: 5.60 Fls: 8 Fls.Ag: 6 Avg Rat: 6.77

Ryan Townsend – Apps: 1 (1) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 0 Red: 0 Tck: 2.23 Fls: 1 Fls.Ag: 0 Avg Rat: 7.00

Mo Camara – Apps: 42 Gls: 0 Ass: 1 MoM: 1 Yel: 4 Red: 0 Tck: 3.29 Fls: 44 Fls.Ag: 29 Avg Rat: 7.21

Paul Scott – Apps: 9 Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 0 Red: 0 Tck: 2.78 Fls: 9 Fls.Ag: 7 Avg Rat: 6.89

It is apparent that discipline at the back was lacking the number of red cards was unacceptable. Duff and Roche stand out as the better ones of the bunch, Camara was also a decent player this season. Sanokho’s dissent caused him problems but his tackling rate is very good, there is hope for him yet. Sinclair isn’t as good as he should be. The youngsters show promise but nothing to stake a place yet. Phillip Bardsley isn’t a player that will play in the Burnley top again under Robinson at least

Defensive Midfielders:

Mark Yates – Apps: 21 (3) Gls: 0 Ass: 3 MoM: 0 Yel: 7 Red: 1 Tck: 2.38 Pass: 78% Fls: 19 Fls.Ag: 13 Avg Rat: 6.88

** Alexis Nicolas – Apps: 6 (1) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Avg Rat: 7.00

Tony Grant – Apps: 19 (7) Gls: 1 Ass: 2 MoM: 0 Yel: 1 Red: 0 Tck: 3.22 Pass: 71% Fls: 19 Fls.Ag: 15 Avg Rat: 7.12

Alexis Nicolas aside as he was neither use nor ornament they did a solid job when needed. Grant was obviously the better one his tackling and discipline are much better than Yates’ and his passing isn’t far shy of his either. Yates will only be a backup player next season, Grant is likely to feature a similar amount as he had this season.

Attacking Midfielders:

Richard Chaplow – Apps: 34 (6) Gls: 7 Ass: 3 MoM: 0 Yel: 7 Red: 1 Tck: 2.41 Pass: 74% Fls: 39 Fls.Ag: 30 Avg Rat: 7.25

Micah Hyde – Apps: 32 (12) Gls: 5 Ass: 5 MoM: 2 Yel: 4 Red: 0 Tck: 2.12 Pass: 75% Fls: 43 Fls.Ag: 45 Avg Rat: 7.27

These two were the only attacking central midfielders in the squad. They made a great pairing but weren’t great at defensive duties. However at attacking duties they were excellent and both will definitely figure often next season. Robinson especially liked the youngster Chaplow who had great potential to be a real star.

Wingers:

Jean-Louis Valois – Apps: 43 (4) Gls: 3 Ass: 8 MoM: 5 Yel: 6 Red: 0 Pass: 70% Fls.Ag: 92 Avg Rat: 7.52

Matt O’Neil – Apps: 5 (2) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 1 Red: 0 Pass: 69% Fls.Ag: 6 Avg Rat: 6.57

* Aaron Lennon – Apps: 16 (4) Gls: 0 Ass: 6 MoM: 0 Yel: 4 Red: 0 Pass: 69% Fls.Ag: 23 Avg Rat: 7.00

**Adam Proudlock – Apps: 28 Gls: 4 Ass: 7 MoM: 0 Yel: 4 Red: 0 Avg Rat: 7.21

**Steven Cooke – Apps: 2 (5) Gls: 0 Ass: 1 MoM: 0 Avg Rat: 7.00

**Benjamin Collett – Apps: 2 (1) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Avg Rat: 6.33

Robinson had a lot of trouble with wingers, he either had none or the ones he loaned weren’t good enough. There were two exceptions, Valois who is player of the season in Robinson’s eyes and Proudlock. Their contribution this season was the difference between championship and keague 1. If there is one person he could sign it would be Proudlock. Lennon did ok but is far from desirable and the others were rubbish.

Forwards:

Robbie Blake – Apps: 39 (8) Gls: 18 Ass: 9 MoM: 2 Yel: 2 Red: 0 Pass: 82% Fls.Ag: 79 Avg Rat: 7.11

Rhys Carpenter – Apps: 1 (6) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 1 Red: 0 Pass: 82% Fls.Ag: 4 Avg Rat: 7.00

Cayne Hanley – Apps: 1 (4) Gls: 0 Ass: 0 MoM: 0 Yel: 1 Red: 0 Pass: 76% Fls.Ag: 4 Avg Rat: 7.00

**Simon Lynch – Apps: 4 (10) Gls: 7 Ass: 1 MoM: 1 Yel: 0 Red: 0 Avg Rat: 7.21

Ian Moore – Apps: 43 (3) Gls: 18 Ass: 10 MoM: 2 Yel: 4 Red: 0 Pass: 80% Fls.Ag: 73 Avg Rat: 7.24

Without the goals and assists from the two main strikers Moore and Blake Burnley would be rock bottom. They have been outstanding all season. The impressive Simon Lynch is another that Robinson would like to see at the club permanently. Young Cayne Hanley has been outstanding for the under 18s earning himself a first team place which he showed the potential he has.

* - Player on loan

** - Player on loan, not all data available

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Burnley FC - Season Evaluation

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 19th | | Watford | | 46 | 14 | 5 | 27 | 60 | 78 | -18 | 47 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 20th | | Burnley | | 46 | 12 | 8 | 26 | 59 | 80 | -21 | 44 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 21st | | Cardiff | | 46 | 10 | 14 | 22 | 41 | 77 | -36 | 44 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

The fact they had won less than half of what they lost depressed John. Next season must be different, they must win more than they lose. Eight of their wins this season came at home, they had obviously tried to be too adventurous away from Turf Moor. He also wanted a positive goal difference next season, there was a lot to do over the summer. Their average league attendance was 18,203 which was in the middle compared to others. They certainly weren’t going to get a fair play award with 81 yellow cards only Rotherham, Cardiff and Sheffield United received more. They also picked up the most red cards, seven in total, discipline is going to have to be sorted

John woke with a start as Sam banged a cup of tea down next to his head. It would seem he had fallen asleep compiling the evaluations. After inquiring what Sam was doing here he found out that it was Sam that was doing the renovating. As well as builders they had expanded into interior design a little and this was their first job. John would have a modern office come next season. After freshening up a little he went in search of Barry and told him in no short terms he needed more staff as well as players. His reply was all in good time, John wasn’t sure how to take this but for now he had a holiday to prepare.

[Pints of Whisky]

Boo Brighton relegated on the last day!

At least the scum Chrystal Palarse went down too!

[Tyrone the Magazine]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pints of Whisky:

Boo Brighton relegated on the last day!

At least the scum Chrystal Palarse went down too! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lets hope it doesn't happen in real life.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

July 2005

It was the first day of July and the transfer deadline had lifted and clubs were now allowed to buy players again. That is if they had money, after all the money that had come into the club and bought them back in the black John thought he may have some to spen. They had also been given money for the curse, televised games, still he had none. Barry had told him he could have £7k to spend, but wages had to be cut. John couldn’t believe it, how the hell was the club supposed to move forward by cutting back. So in no small terms John told Barry that the club would stump up wages for free transfers. This didn’t work so John went to Sam who was currently working on his new office. John hoped supporter pressure may make a difference, Sam was as outraged and organised a management supporter meeting.

After the meeting Barry called John in to his office, as he entered the manager could feel the coldness of his boss. Barry told him that he wasn’t happy that John resorted to these kind of tactics. He simply replied in a stern a voice as his boss that he had no other option. Barry informed John that he could get as many free transfers as necessary, both players and staff. That allowance however came with a warning that things had better improve significantly. John took that warning as a threat and relations between himself and his boss had turned a bit sour.

The next day as he stepped out of his car he was met by Barry who apologised to John. He said that he didn’t want to come over as cold and threatening but it was that he didn’t want the club to sink back into debt. John understood this and accepted his apology as they walked into the stadium Barry led him a down a familiar route he hadn’t travelled in a while. They ended up outside his office which had now been completed, Sam was waiting with a pair of scissors for John to cut the ribbon with. For some reason the local press was their to capture the occasion and bulbs flashed as John cur the ceremonial ribbon. Walking in he noticed immediately the modern change, fresh and minimalistic and a brand new plasma screen TV on the wall. He sat down at his new desk with new computer and phone/fax and told people to leave as he had business to attend to.

Calling up a few contacts Robinson immediately got some new staff in. Although the staff he had was capable they simply weren’t capable enough or plenty enough. John believed the right staff makes a huge difference to the teams performance on match day. The first to arrive was Danish scout Henrik Anderson and English scout Dave Jarrett. Robinson immediately sent them out to scout for potential stars and good free players. Next up was Peter Beardsley, the former England man had a illustrious career with some of England’s best clubs. Robinson was delighted to have such a legend at the club, he hoped Beardsley could mould the stars of tomorrow at Burnley. Along with Beardsley came Dave Harrison another coach with great skills. John Moore, Warren Joyce and Gerry Reddy also came in to bolster the coaching staff.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

That was the staff sorted, it took him a few more days to get his contacts working but it wasn’t long after that the calls came flooding in. His scouts and contacts had given him some names to look at. Robinson had already been on touch with some old friends, Lynch and Lennon were brought back in on season long loans. He had also been in talks trying to get Proudlock to move on a permanent basis. John then made his way through signings the recommendations he had brought in on trial periods.

DMC: Tony Dinning – 30, English: Has forged his career outside the top division and has good references. Yates simply wasn’t cutting it and John needed another defensive midfielder.

DC: Florent Laville – 31, French: The impressive French defender spent most of his time with Lyon before spending a little time with Bolton. He was very impressive in all aspects of defending. The only bad point was his lack of pace, but he would be too good to leave out.

DC: Darren Powell – 29, English: Former Brentford and Crystal Palace player had a great tackle and was quick. He would partner Laville very well in defence, they would certainly challenge the current defenders.

AMC: Graham Stewart – 34, English: Spent most of his career in the top league most remembered for his time at Everton. An impressive player who’s experience will be invaluable to Robinson.

D/DMC: Robert Malcom – 24, Scottish: Former Rangers player with great defensive stats will be great to have in the squad and will push all similar players to their peak for a place in the starting 11.

SC: Scott Gemmill – 18, Scottish: The young Scot was spotted by a scout playing for St. Mirren. A player with huge potential will join the other impressive strikers at the club.

August 2005

Into August and Robinson hadn’t managed to agree a fee, which he could afford, for Proudlock. So he brought in Olafur-Ingi Skulason from Arsenal, he was a right sided winger. They had completed their pre season games. Robinson’s men had lost 2-0 to Blackpool, but demolished Southend 5-0. They followed up that victory with victories over Yeovil and Peterhead, drew against Bury and Connah’s Quay. It gave him a good chance to see his new recruits. He was glad to have some real depth in the key areas. Another piece of good news was that striker Ian Moore had signed a new contract on reduced wages.

The bookies had made Leicester and Leeds joint 2-1 favourites to win the league. Sunderland and Ipswich were both priced at 5-2 with Sheffield United 3-1 and West Ham 8-1. Burnley were way down the table at 200-1 to win the league, that didn’t concern Robinson he believed that they would survive. When the papers asked if he thought they would survive, he replied he was sure his players were more than capable to keep them up. His team were due to play Bournemouth in the first round of the league cup. For now he was concentrating on his first game of the season at home to Stoke.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Sam had finished renovating the inside of the Burnley stadium, it was now a bright, fresh, modern professional place to walk round. He was now sitting at the bar in The Crown reading through the local newspaper. Reading the story about Burnley’s chances this season he was less than convinced about Robinson’s optimism. He remembered reading the same thing last year and it was down to the last day before they were safe. The signings hadn’t convinced him either, but to be fair to the man he wasn’t given anything to spend so what could they expect. He just hoped John could get them playing properly and he would take a more Mourinho stance to management. Despite his own pessimism he was looking forward to the game later on today, at home to Stoke.

Sitting in his office John was watching the pre match report on Sky Sports news. The report was in the middle of saying that Burnley managed to do the double over Stoke last season. They beat them 2-0 at home and 3-1 away, John was hoping to continue that run today and get the season off to a good start. Stoke finished up 7th last season and were made favourites today. He looked out of his window over the pitch with the newly laid turf, the sun beating down on a blistering hot day. The report continued speculating on the team line ups but truth be told he didn’t fully know the line up himself.

Putting down his glass Sam ordered his third pint of Stella, perfect for a hot day like this. He went back to reading the paper, looking at the pre match report for the Burnley v Stoke game he noticed speculation as to who would be captain. Mark Yates was the club captain but the chances of him playing this season was few and far between. This meant that someone else had to take the reins, speculation was on one of the newcomers to the squad. Most of the new signings were highly experienced which would be a big factor. The local paper was going for Tony Dinning, his experience at this level was unparalleled and had shown leadership skills in training and pre season. Two hours later Sam along with most people in The Crown left for Turf Moor. Getting into the ground for 14:55 he noticed plenty spare seats, it would seem the team would have to win some fans back.

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Saturday – 06/08/05, Championship game 1

Burnley v Stoke

@Turf Moor

The first game of the season was at home to their favourite team Stoke. Burnley enjoyed doing the double over them in the league last season. Robinson’s men were top of the table before play, on alphabetical order so this would probably be the first and last time. Burnley kicked off last season with a defeat Robinson hoped this season they could start with a win. Speculation had been rife over who would start this game, would the old players keep their places or would the new faces get the nod? Robinson hadn’t really been sure until a couple of hours before kick off:

Burnley: GK: Jensen, DR: Roche, DL: Camara, DC: Laville, DC: Powell: MR: Skulason, ML: Valois, MC: Dinning, MC: Stuart: SC: Moore: SC: Blake: Subs: GK: Coyne: D: Malcom: M: Hyde, M: Lennon: SC: Lynch

It was a different looking team to that of last season, Robinson had depth and that meant some players would be disappointed. There was no place at all for Duff, Sinclair or Chaplow to name a few. He was confident in this side though they possessed good defensive and attacking players. He gave the captains armband to Dinning, the paper had got that right at least. Going with a 4-4-2 formation he started the game with an attacking outlook. The full backs would attack along with the wingers and Stuart. While Powell and Dinning would mark Stoke’s danger man Ade Akinbiyi. Pushing up and trying to catch them offside Burnley would look to counter attack at every opportunity. He wanted to have a fast start where they would get at Stoke and then be able to drop back into a more solid stance.

It was stoke who had the first shot at goal, but it was a lame attempt from the edge of the area, simple for Jensen to deal with. Jensen rolled the ball to Camara who noticed Blake had got goal side of his marker and launched a ball up to him. The ball was inch perfect and it took Stoke by surprise, Blake ran with the ball and slipped it past the keeper at his near post. They had the dream start but Robinson rushed out to tell them to concentrate. Dinning then told his team to implement the more defensive tactic they were told to use if they went a goal up. The full backs would no longer push up instead they stayed back to cover Laville and Powell. They wouldn’t push up the field as high as they had done and wouldn’t try and use the offside trap unless they were sure. Stoke pushed forward looking for a way back into the game, Thomas had a free header from a corner but wasted the chance. Stuart took his chance when the defence left a gap for him, his shot was tipped onto the bar and cleared to safety. Burnley were looking good and when they countered a Stoke attack Valois was brought down in the area. The ref pointed to the spot and Valois stepped up and fired the home side into a 2-0 lead. Another countered Stoke attack ended up in a corner, Valois swung the ball into the area. Dinning nodded it to the edge of the area back to Valois who chipped it to Stuart unmarked in the ‘D’. He unleashed a volley that left the keeper stranded and sent the Burnley fans wild.

Burnley were rampant and were dominating the game, by this point Stoke had gone from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 but it made no difference. Their defence was solid and their attack sharp and flowing. At half time he praised his men, instead of telling them to press their advantage like he would have done last season he told them to be sensible and clinical. He wanted to compact the space Stoke had so he told his team to push up and play the offside trap and close them down. Keeping it simple and safe he may get more points this season. Things were going the home sides way as two minutes after the restart Burnley had another penalty, Moore was pushed inside the area. Valois stepped up again and gave Burnley a 4-0 lead. Robinson thought the ref was on their side today as Wayne Thomas picked up a dubious second yellow and was sent from the pitch. Down to ten men Stoke got all players behind the ball and let Burnley come at them. Robinson swapped Malcom, Lennon and Lynch for Dinning, Skulason and Blake respectively. Unable to get another goal but they easily saw out the rest of the game. Results had gone their way and they stayed at the top of the league. Robinson couldn’t have asked for a better start.

Burnley 4 v 0 Stoke

Goals: Burnley: Blake 7, Valois pen 21, pen 47, Stuart 32

Bookings: Burnley: Dinning - Stoke: Halls, Thomas (x2 – red), O’Brien

MoM: Valois

Att: 14,860

Ref: Nigel Miller

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Tuesday - 09/08/05, Championship game 2

Coventry v Burnley

@Highfield Road

After the amazing victory over Stoke everyone was pumped up for this game. This was the repeat of last seasons opening fixture, last season they lost 2-1 they hoped to reverse that score and beat them this time. Robinson didn’t want to change a winning team too much so he only swapped Malcom for Stuart. This gave the centre of midfield a very solid feel, Burnley’s outlets will be down the wings. Sticking with the 4-4-2 formation he told his team to hold back get behind the ball and just counter Coventry.

It was Burnley who had the first attack of the game. Valois down the left swung a cross into the box which Blake got on the end of forcing the keeper to tip it over the bar. It wasn’t as one sided as people expected, despite Burnley on the defensive they were very much in the game. Once again it was down the left that Burnley penetrated the Coventry defence. Valois got down the left wing and slipped the ball inside to Blake, he swung the ball up to the back post. At the back post Skulason was waiting to head the ball into the empty net. Into the second half Coventry started to get on top of Burnley and get shots on goal. Burnley did manage to counter some of these attacks, every time down the flanks but they didn’t have the finish. Coventry tried their hardest to get an equaliser but they couldn’t break down Burnley’s stubborn defence.

Coventry 0 v 1 Burnley

Goals: Burnley: Skulason 27

Bookings: Coventry: Deloumeaux

MoM: Valois

Att: 14,337

Ref: Kevin Wright